I hate being tired. And I’m tired a lot.
Some of it may be caused by the medications I’m on. But some of it seems to have hung around me for a good part of my life.
I remember my mother saying something like the following more than once: “Tina’s never had a lot of stamina.”
Even when I was a little girl, I would get so tired when I went shopping with my mother. I’d follow her around the stores and look for places to sit to rest my aching legs.
When I was ready to go to sleep, I had no problem going to bed, no matter what was going on. Another thing my mother used to say was something like, “If the president of the United States was visiting, and Tina wanted to go to bed, it wouldn’t stop her.”
I can work long hours when I need to. During graduate school, especially, I pulled a lot of all-nighters. I can get by on less than optimal sleep for a while. But I pay for it in lethargy and tiredness.
I suspect that much of my tiredness is related to depression and OCD and other anxiety. My doctor has told me that anxiety can make the sufferer tired. A hallmark of my depression is fatigue. And certainly being on near-constant lookout for dangers when my OCD is on high can be exhausting.
My tiredness is very frustrating. I think of all I haven’t accomplished because I was too busy resting. I think of all I’d like to accomplish. Other people seem to accomplish so much. Why can’t I?
Exercise would help, if I would just do it. I’m still having trouble on that front, and I have no good excuse.
But even when I was exercising regularly, I wasn’t an energetic go-getter.
Fatigue is something that I want to “let go” of this year. I am ready to start taking actions that will help me.
Exercising and eating better are on my list.
What suggestions do you have for fighting fatigue?
Ugh. I am so often tired as well. Well always, anymore, I guess, but sometimes less so. I read the title of your post and thought: that's me!
ReplyDeleteKristina, it's not fun, is it?
DeleteI've been much more tired than usual lately, and it is not fun.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you take a B12 supplement. Especially since you don't eat meat. I still take one everyday - sublingual. I think it helps.
Thanks, Lisa. That is good advice. I've wondered about my B12 level.
DeleteI also feel tired nearly everyday! Exercise does help but it's pushing past the tired energy to go out & do some, it's tiring! Lol
ReplyDeleteMrs Brown's Thoughts
Clare, I hear you--it takes energy to exercise, and sometimes I don't feel the energy. But I must push through, I know.
DeleteKeeping myself occupied! Such as joining groups and activities to keep my mind active as possible!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley. That's a good idea. Being involved in things can help keep me more active.
DeleteHonestly, coffee is my go-to with fatigue :)
ReplyDeleteKeith, caffeine in the form of Diet Pepsi is my favorite! But coffee will really wake me up.
DeleteMy energy level is definitely related to my mood. I could be feeling down and sluggish, get some good news, and then have all the energy in the world. When I do feel tired, I often force myself to exercise. It's kind of counter-intuitive, but it works!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet. I just need to stop waiting to be motivated!
DeleteThis is a big one for me too, Tina. In recent years I have really struggled with fatigue. I know that some of it is due to weight gain. Some of it is from medication. Most of it is from depression and anxiety. Wish I had some suggestions for you. If you find an answer, let me know!! Hugs. (Oh, I like your new pic!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sunny. I've gained weight, too, and that could be part of it. I think it's a combination of things, with depression and anxiety being the biggies. I guess we'll have to tackle it with a combination of solutions! :-)
DeleteWow...I relate to this post. I remember as a little kid, looking for places to sit while my mother shopped because my legs ached so.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you on the exercise front...I do make it a priority in the mornings during the work week (I take weekends off), but it's tough. Getting out of bed is brutal, and while I know exercise probably helps, it doesn't seem to fill me with the boundless energy that the health magazines promise!
Addressing your fatigue where you can is good, but a friend of mine once helped me realize that not all of us are bundles of energy...and that's OK. I have to fight to keep myself from saying, "Look how much X accomplishes in half the time it takes me," but I do try because making comparisons just isn't fair to myself.
You're right, Jean--comparisons with bundles of energy really isn't fair. I guess we all have individual energy levels. I just wish mine was higher! Good for you for sticking to the exercise. Even if it's not filling you with boundless energy, I'm sure it's doing good things for you.
DeleteI struggle with being tired, too. What often helps me is going for a walk outside--even a short one. Fresh air, exercise, and Vitamin D are all helpful. Although when all else fails, there is no shame in taking a nap. As "Jean" above me stated, we are not all meant to have boundless energy :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen, I need to remind myself of that! I take naps when I can, and it helps.
DeleteThis is a big struggle for me as well - I share that sense of frustration at what I'm missing out on because I'm just tired. Exercise does help - I need to get back to yoga, that was actually really rejuvenating (and I am NOT flexible!). Let me know what works for you, we'll all keep fighting it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've done yoga in the past, also, and found it invigorating and relaxing all at once. It was good for me. Seems like I should get back to it, too! Yes, we'll keep fighting this!
DeleteStop giving your energy to the OCD! It'll suck you dry!
ReplyDeleteJodi, yes, it will suck all the energy out of you. It's an exhausting thing to deal with sometimes.
DeleteThere is a very clear pattern here isn't there? I'm not going be the one to bust it because I have plenty of "fatigue" too. I know that Jodi is right, OCD sucks energy from me. My brain gets so drained thinking, worrying and stressing. I told my husband yesterday that I was going to have to break down and get a gym membership. I love being outdoors to walk or run but the weather is not cooperating. (It is 4 below zero today) I have the most energy when OCD is less prevalent in my life. If I eat small meals at regular intervals, drink water during the day, and exercise it just makes a world of difference. I have more energy in the Spring, Summer and Fall so I think having it get dark here at 4-430 pm is not helping either. I just noticed your new phot..it looks like you are growing your hair longer? Great photo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Krystal Lynn. It's actually the photo I used on the blog when I first started, but I am growing my hair out again.
DeleteI think it's great that you're considering the gym membership. Maybe it will help you get through the rest of the winter.
Well, considering your mom made statements about your tiredness when you were little, I think part of it might be genetic. I'm no expert and I wouldn't want to suggest there is nothing you can do because surely there is. But maybe part of the deal is just letting go and accepting that you're a person who needs more rest than say a type A personality and not fighting it. There is that fine balance between acceptance and seeking improvement and when you get it figured out, please let me know. And like someone else mentioned, it being the deadest of winter right now, maybe in a few months things will improve on their own. This is what I'm hoping. I get home from work and do NOTHING right now. I just have no motivation. It feels like midnight all the time. In other words, you're in good company, friend.
ReplyDeleteI like your photo. You're very pretty! I bet your hubby says that all the time. :)
Grace, you're so kind--thank you!
DeleteI like how you put it--"that fine balance between acceptance and seeking improvement." I think the best way to get at that balance is to do all the things I can to improve my stamina and see how it goes.
Hi Tina,
ReplyDeleteExercise and diet are GREAT starters. My blog post tomorrow will talk about some new ideas. I think it's good to cut down on carbs/sugar. My husband, a yoga teacher, was feeling really tired lately and started the diet I'm on and feels so much improvement. Have you ever tried yoga? You could try a gentle class. It's great for working all the muscle groups that don't get worked in other exercise and some of the postures help to release toxins in the body. I feel so much energy when I combine yoga, exercise and walking. Those three do wonders when regularly done. In the winter it's actually better to get out more and move, even if it's just for a short time to get the blood circulating. Meditation is also helpful too! Good luck to you and I hope you get your energy back and feel better!!!!
Thank you Katherine, for the suggestions and good wishes. I have practiced yoga in the past and loved it.
DeleteI've been eating less sugar lately, but I ate some candy this afternoon, and I could feel the sugar rush leaving me with less energy.
Just a thought, but have you considered a sleep study? Some people have daytime fatigue because they just don't go into the right brain wave state, or go there long enough. I'm getting one done soon to check and see if my constant feeling of tiredness is related to something like apnea. Hope you get some relief from this very soon!
ReplyDeleteNot that we need something other than MIs to make us tired. That's plenty.
Adventures in Anxiety Land
Thank you. I hope you get some relief too. I have wondered about sleep apnea. My husband had a sleep study done, and he has apnea.
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